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UPS Offers Carbon Offset Overseas

Jul 08, 2010

UPS has expanded its carbon neutral shipping program to 35 countries and territories across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Shippers in these locations will have the option of paying a small fee to calculate and offset the carbon emissions associated with their shipments.

The new offerings, including a contract version for customers who want to offset the carbon impact of all their shipments, will be available starting July 12.

In addition to the international expansion, UPS is expanding access to the program in the United States, making it available to all shippers at UPS.com and those who use UPS CampusShip. Online retailers who have integrated UPS into their websites will be able to offer their customers access to UPS carbon neutral. Customers who visit The UPS Store locations and other retail locations soon will have access to the option.

In the United States, the fee ranges from $0.05 for a ground package and $0.20 for an air package to $0.75 for an international package. Outside the United States, the flat fee will vary slightly by country depending on the type of service selected and the origin and destination of the shipment.

As a part of the initial launch, UPS purchased offsets from the Garcia River Forest Climate Action Project, overseen by The Nature Conservancy and The Conservation Fund. In the future, UPS will seek to extend its offset purchases to other regions worldwide. In 2010, UPS will match offset purchases up to $1 million.

The calculation to measure the carbon (CO2) impact of the customers' shipments is based on current and historical operational data, including distance and transport mode and a comprehensive carbon inventory. UPS's proprietary calculation methodology and processes are verified by Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS). In addition, the carbon offset process also is certified by The CarbonNeutral Company. The calculator is based on Greenhouse Gas Protocol, an international standard for carbon accounting and reporting.

When a customer elects to neutralize their shipments, UPS will calculate the carbon impact and then purchase certified carbon offsets on the customer's behalf. UPS will target offsets certified to the "Gold Standard," "Voluntary Carbon Standard" or "Climate Action Reserve."